Faculty
Eve McPherson, Associate Professor of Music, published in SEM Student News. This is the student publication of the Society for Ethnomusicology They invite scholars to contribute to a “Dear SEM” column focusing on a specific theme. The issue was the “Voice Issue,” and the three contributing scholars were asked to reflect on voice scholarship in the context of COVID-19. https://www.semsn.com/17-2-dear-sem
• Eve McPherson’s Concert Series consisted of the following performances:
o Adam Keeler, a concert of classical guitar
o The Gabo String Quartet, visiting from Columbia (South America).
o An Evening of Cabaret, Tango, and Operetta with Ralitsa Georgieva-Smith (piano), Kimberly Lauritsen (mezzo-soprano), and Eve McPherson (soprano).
• Phillip Buntin’s LINK Gallery Art Exhibitions
o “Betwixt and Between” an exhibition of paintings exploring ambiguous figure ground relationships with similarly uncertain abstract figures drawn from various sources.
o “Dialogue” an exhibition of Trumbull County art instructors’ personal art works and a selection of their student works.
• Eric Kildow’s Theatre productions
o THE THANKSGIVING PLAY by Larissa FastHorse
o ROMEO & JULIET by William Shakespeare
o SIPS & SCRIPTS PLAY READING SERIES in collaboration with Modern Methods Brewing Company in downtown Warren, OH
o RENT Summer stock program: Work- In -Progress
Teaching innovation & Student success
• The Ohio Attorney General named Kent State University and its College of Applied and Technical Studies (CATS) as one of five regional advanced training providers for "OPOTA Close to Home," a collaboration that extends the reach of Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) training for Ohio's law enforcement officers.
• Last fall, Kent State University at Trumbull began offering Trumbull Correctional Institution incarcerated individuals a chance to complete a Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies (BTAS). With substantial funding support from local foundations, Kent State Trumbull and LaunchNET, Kent State joined Sinclair Community College (Dayton, Ohio) to complete this new 2+2 program partnership. Sinclair has been offering an Associate in Business Management there for two years, so its first graduates were ready to begin working on their bachelor's this fall. Along with the degree, students can complete a certificate in entrepreneurship through the program.
• Dr. Ana Wetzl, associate professor of English at Kent State University at Trumbull, earned a 2021 Outstanding Teaching Award. Originally from Romania, Dr. Wetzl started teaching at Kent State Trumbull in 2006, where she was also the English Coordinator in the campus Learning Center. She is currently the advisor for the English Club and is involved with diversity initiatives on campus. Her research has been published in Computers and Composition, Research in the Teaching of Writing, Composition Forum, and Praxis. In 2018, her teaching was recognized by Kent State University with the Undeniably Accessible Award.
• For the third consecutive year, Veterinary Technology students at Kent State University at Trumbull earned the highest three-year average passage rate in Ohio on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). Kent State Trumbull's 2021 Veterinary Technology graduates took the exam, and 100% passed. The program, which is administered through Kent State University at Tuscarawas, now has a three-year average passage rate of 100%. The national three-year average score is approximately 70.5%. Kent State Trumbull now owns the prestigious honor of highest three-year pass rate in Ohio.
• Kent State University's most recent day-class of Police Academy cadets collectively passed the State of Ohio Physical Fitness Assessment and written test. All ten cadets, formally known as BAS 21-054, passed with an average of 89%. The physical assessment consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a mile and a half run. The written exam consists of 200 questions and requires a 70% or higher for passage. Both are timed.
• Kent State University at Trumbull senior Rilee Wilson, a Criminology and Justice Studies double major, earned first place in the spring Student Showcase for Research, Scholarship, and Creativity. They were then named this year's George Eastman Outstanding Senior in Criminology and Justice Studies award winner at Alpha Kappa Delta's (AKD) spring banquet. Each spring, AKD and Kent State University's Department of Sociology recognize academic achievements and present scholarships and awards in Criminology & Justice Studies (or Justice Studies).
Community relations
• Mercy Health, part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system, announced this spring its intent to develop 62.88 acres east of the Trumbull campus and move hospital operations. This should provide many opportunities for students and possibly, additional degree prorgrams.
• Kent State Trumbull and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers continued the Valley of Dreams partnership to recognize hardworking students and provide opportunities for their continued success. At each Scrappers' home game, one or more Kent State Trumbull students, who exhibit a balance of academic accomplishment, leadership, and community engagement are spotlighted. They receive free tickets to the game and are announced on the field before throwing out the first pitch. They also receive a Valley of Dreams T-shirt.
• To build a more harmonious relationship between police and community, Kent State University at Trumbull's Police Academy program began community discussions last year to focus on and identify concerns between police and underrepresented communities across the region and to work toward building better relations between police and those within these communities. The discussions have led to a community-based police academy advisory board.
• In March, the campus partnered with WFMJ and offered campus scholarships to the top five students in the regional Scripp's Spelling Bee.
• This fall, the marketing staff facilitated Junior Achievement's "JA It's My Future" classes for 7th-grade students at Champion Middle School. It consisted of six 45-minute lessons presented once a week for six weeks.
• Marketing staff volunteered to judge Junior Achievement's Innovation Challenge, where local middle school students presented development and marketing plans for a new Pizza Joe's pizza, TCTC's regional Business Professionals of America competition, and the state BPA competition (June 2022).
• This summer, the campus will again be a major sponsor and participant at Spectrum Community Outreach's Pride in the Valley. The event is not only a day of festivities but a way for Full Spectrum Community Outreach to continue to support the community by raising funds for multiple aspects of the Center that are available year-round and open to all members of the community.
Partnerships
• In April, area high school students had the opportunity to meet and hear from women working in science, technology, engineering, and math careers and to learn about the education and training they received to enter those fields. After two year hiatus caused by the pandemic, Kent State Trumbull again hosted its STEM TC conference, inviting high school girls to spend the day at the campus and hear from professors, guest speakers, and area professionals. Dr. Valerie Cubon-Bell, STEM TC director and professor of chemistry, organized the all-day conference for girls in grades 10 to 12 from Trumbull County high schools who have an interest in STEM careers.
• The campus recently hosted Inspiring Minds Annual Gala, bringing more than 700 individuals to the campus to raise money for the Inspiring Minds program, which works with Warren city youth from 3rd grade up through high school and beyond.
• Jeffrey Jiang, majoring in Business Management, is the campus' first Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber intern. In 2021, Kent State Trumbull joined the Regional Chamber, Eastern Gateway Community College, and Youngstown State University to create this unique collaboration to promote and further enhance internship opportunities at the non-profit business organization.
• The College of Public Health and Kent State Trumbull secured a $261,000 grant from HealthPath Ohio. The funds will support the education and training of community health workers over a three-year period from the Mahoning Valley including Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. The local health departments and healthcare facilities will serve as host sites where participants will gain practical work experience.
Student groups/individual students
• Kent State Trumbull's Undergraduate Student Government (USG) collected food and money to fill Thanksgiving bags for campus students and families in need. Tanner Noble (President), Ally Phibbs (Vice-President), Brianna Farmer (Treasurer), and Nadia Currence (Treasurer) coordinated the giveaway with help from Nancy Barker, Coordinator for Student Life/USG. Each family received a frozen turkey and a bag with items such as potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, apple or pumpkin pie, cornbread, dinner rolls, apple sauce, and much more. A total of 21 bags were filled with dinners for four to ten people.
• Kent State Trumbull's Veterinary Technology Student Club (VTSC) kicked off National Pet Month in April by committing more than $2,000 in donations to three local animal rescue shelters and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to support pet owners in Ukraine. Students offered ink paw prints and sold Kent State Trumbull Veterinary Technology apparel at Mosquito Lake Dog Park's annual Howl-O-Ween to raise most of the money. Donations were presented to Birds In Flight Sanctuary (Warren), Parrot Hope Rescue (Mantua), Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Inc (Ravenna), and IAFW.
• Kent State Trumbull's Care Closet and Food Pantry opened in October. Students who are in need of food, personal items, and clothing now have more support.
• Kent State Trumbull's bowling team debuted last fall in the Ohio Bowling Conference (OBC). Bowlers competed in six tournaments as a mixed men's and women's team in the Men's Division.
• The Kent Trumbull Recovery Community (KTRC) was formed by the campus mental health counseling staff and the Addiction Counseling Certificate program in 2021-22. The group provides a variety of recovery support elements to assist students in maintaining and protecting their recovery. The group has its own space in the Technology Building.
• To help homeless individuals stay warm this past winter, Kent State Trumbull students collected and delivered socks to the Warren Mission.
• The Diversity in Action Council encouraged students, faculty, and staff to participate in Denim Day takes on the last Wednesday of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This day of action and awareness is an event in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim-blaming and educate others about sexual violence.